Mexico
These rides take place in Guanajuato Province in the Central Highlands of Mexico. The area is full of history and colour and the province’s capital, Guanajuato, is a beautiful colonial city with a thriving university and a wonderfully friendly ambience. The rides start from a small ranch close to Guanajuato and follow different linear routes through the mountains, past old silver mines and following the ancient Spanish built "royal" roads (Camino Reales) and Silver Road (Ruta de la Plata). Nights en-route are spent in local towns and ranches and a back up vehicle takes the luggage from place to place. Rides are run from set dates for 8 nights.
SUMMARY
Riding: 5-8 hours a day.
Horses: Aztecas, Mexican criollo, Quarterhorse crosses.
Pace: slow to moderate, due to the terrain.
Riding ability: suitable for strong intermediate riders and above.
Weight limit: 100 kg (15st 10lbs).
Accommodation: 2* & 3* hotels, ranches & mountian refuge (some nights camping on one itinerary)
Group size: max 12
Season: July to January
HORSES & RIDING
Horses: The horses are local Mexican breeds, Aztecas, Mexican criollos, and Quarterhorse crosses. They are used to being ridden Western style (rg neck reining) and are ridden in Mexican (western) style tack. They are sure-footed and responsive and used to a light contact with the mouth. There is enough variety to offer a enjoyable ride for both intermediate and experienced riders. Average height is around 15.2hh. Groups are limited to a maximum 12 guests.
Hours: There is usually between 5 and 8 hours riding a day, following routes through the hills and forests, with breaks for rests, lunch and sightseeing.
Pace and experience required: To take part in these rides you need to be a reasonably experienced rider. You should be comfortable, secure and in control on a well schooled horse at the walk, trot and canter and used to riding in open country and over varied terrain. You should have a reasonably good level of general and riding fitness.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is varied and depends on the itinerary you choose. The first nights of both rides is spent at the simple ranch house, which has charming rooms (bathrooms are shared). Most other nights on the Silver Trail are spent at 2* to 3* standard hotels chosen for their position. Rooms are comfortable and have their own bathrooms. On the Central Highlands Ride other nights are camping, using 2 man "dome" tents. There is a basic shower tent and a central mess tent. One night of both itineraries is spent in a remote region at at a mountain refuge where some rooms are dormitory syle and bathrooms are shared.
RATES & DATES
| Rates 2019 | Silver Trail (8 nights) - USD 2230 single supplement - USD 435 Central Highlands Ride (8 nights) - USD 1875 single supplement - USD 210 Rates include - all riding, guiding and equipment, 8 nights twin accommodation, meals and collection from and return to Guanajuato as a group at set times on day 1/ day 9. Rates exclude - international flights to Mexico, personal medical insurance (compulsory), drinks / your bar bill, any visa fees and personal items such as tips, laundry etc. Prices are quoted in US dollars. Payments to us can of course be made in pounds sterling if you wish and we can give you a sterling rate at the time of booking. |
| Dates 2019 | Silver Trail 9th to 17th July 6th to 14th August 3rd to 11th September 22nd to 30th October 3rd to 11th December Central Highlands Ride 22nd to 30th July 19th to 27th August 16th to 24th September 14th to 22nd October |
ITINERARY
Itinerary in brief - Silver Trail
| Day 1 | Met Guanajuato city at 17.00 then a 40 minute drive to the ranch base. Welcome cocktails, dinner and the night. |
| Day 2 | Set off riding along trails that take you into the nearby mountains. The scenery will remind you of old western films, with cactus and arid terrain. Stop for a picnic lunch near the ruins of a 400 year old hacienda. In the afternoon ride on to a small village where the horses spend the night. Transfer to Guanajuato, dinner and night at your hotel. |
| Day 3 | Breakfast and head back to the meet the horses. The ride today takes you high into the mountains, stopping for lunch at a simple village restaurant and continuing to a remote mountain refuge where the night is spent. |
| Day 4 | Today is a long day, covering around 37km, as you head towards the town of Dolores Hidalgo. Meet the back up team for a picic lunch and in the afternoon ride on to the outpost of an old hacienda where the horses stay. Transfer to Dolores Hidalgo for dinner and the night in a hotel. |
| Day 5 | A fascinating ride, crossing by horse the town of Dolores Hidalgo, famous as the starting point of the 1810 independence rebellion, and birth place of Jose Alfredo Jimenez (Mexican singer-songwriter). Stop in the central sqaure to see the church and then continue to a stables on the edge of town where the horses stay. Transfer back to town for lunch and the afternoon to explore. |
| Day 6 | The ride today takes you through a valley of cactus, and then over the hills, meeting the back vehicle for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon continue to the lovely town of Atotonilco with imposing XVIII Century church. Night spent at a hotel close by. |
| Day 7 | Breakfast and set off on your last day riding, following the River Laja towards San Miguel de Allende, one of the most fascintating towns in Mexico. The route is through semi desert and wetlands close to the river, passing villages with their "Indian chapels". Stop near a small chapel where lunch is cooked by local families. Say goodbye to the horses and team and transfer to San Miguel de Allende for dinner and the night. |
| Day 8 | Breakfast and a full day to explore this incredible world heritage colonial city. Own arrangements for lunch & dinner. Night San Miguel de Allende. |
| Day 9 | Breakfast and onward travel. |
| Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions |
TRAVEL
The meeting point for the rides is Guanajuato City. There are direct flights to Mexico from London with British Airways, Aero Mexico and also flights with KLM via Amsterdam and with several US airlines via the States. From Mexico City there are regular onward flights to Leon Guanajuato (BJX). There are also flight to Guanajuato from several US regional airports. For flights from the UK budget around £700-£900 economy return (fares vary with the airline and season).
